Running electoral registration - England

How should applications made by a declaration of local connection be processed?

Acknowledging applications

There is no legal requirement for an application to be acknowledged although you do have discretion to send an acknowledgement. In all cases, you are required to send a confirmation if the application is successful, as set out below.

Verifying applications

All applications and declarations should be processed and the applicant’s identity verified as soon as possible after receipt.
 
If you receive an application where the qualifying address falls outside your area it should be forwarded to the relevant ERO without delay.

Any applicant who fails the DWP match must provide documentary evidence, or if they cannot provide documentary evidence, an attestation in the same way as people applying to register as an ordinary elector. See our guidance on verification, exceptions and attestations.

All correspondence between you and applicants may be sent electronically. In addition, it is permissible for applicants to provide attestations or documentary evidence by electronic means such as a fax or scanned image.

Confirming applications and declarations 

If you have determined that an applicant is entitled to be registered, you must confirm to them in writing that their registration application has been successful.1
 
You should also include, alongside the confirmation letter, information on any absent voting arrangements that are in place. If no arrangements are in place you should make clear what the absent voting options are. 

If you have rejected a registration application, you must notify the applicant and inform them of the reasons why.

Where a person who is registered through a declaration of local connection has successfully renewed their declaration, there is no requirement to send them a confirmation notice. You may, however, still decide to send them further information confirming that their renewal has been successful, which you could do by e-mail. This communication could also include information on when their declaration will expire, how and when they will next be reminded to renew it, what absent voting arrangements they have in place and, if they have none, information on absent voting options.